Features

An injection molding robot is no better than its end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). All the potential benefits of robots--increased productivity, quality, and safety, as well as reduced scrap--are influenced by the effectiveness with which the EOAT does its job. End-of-arm tooling may perform tasks as simple as sprue picking and demolding or as advanced as degating, insert loading, parts reorientation, and assembly.

The first process-simulation software for rotomolding and the industry's first automatic mold-opening/closing device both made their debut at the recent 24th annual fall conference of the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) in Cleveland. The conference, which drew a record attendance of 730, was held along with the third Rotoplast exhibition, which drew 2300 people to the 108 exhibits. Other news included automatic mold-charging devices and what's said to be the first HDPE that meets UL 94V-0 at 1/8 in. thickness. There was also a rotomolding unit with triple air lines that provide added heat, vacuum, or cooling assistance.

For processors looking to extrude stronger and tougher films, two firms recently came out with hexene-copolymer LLDPEs based on new catalyst technologies. Both resin families are poised to compete with octene LLDPE and metallocene LLDPE (mLLDPE), as well as other "super-hexene" grades.